Do you ever wake up in the morning and think “Ugh! What am I going to wear today?” I turn on the news and they have all the advice about what to wear “out at the bus stop” and how bundled up I need to be, but that’s the easy part. I have a couple coats to choose from. But what, oh what to wear? I have a closet overflowing with clothes and let me tell you it’s a challenge for a brain before coffee to make the ultimate choice in outfitting myself for the day. This is why I make my first choice the night before – to avoid a battle between my mind and my body at 4:00 am.
Did you know there’s an even more important choice of what to put on for the day? One reason I choose what clothes to wear the night before is so I can focus on the attitude I will wear all day. Like Romans 13:12 where it talks about the night being over and the day arriving….”So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.” I think deeds of darkness includes a lot of actions that are less than honorable, even the attitude I have as I approach today and all the people I touch along the way. How thoughtful am I of others? What is my attitude about the work I do or the commitments I’ve made?
I’m a believer of all the Bible teaches about being a Christian and follower of Christ. Colossians 3:10 works for me. “I have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.” I love that every day I can renew myself by following what I’ve learned from my Creator. And the best thing – when I enter this day, I can wear armor, not the heavy, confining physical armor, although sometimes I think that would be a good idea. I mean the armor to put on everyday – before you meet that first person who cuts you off at the stop light or the one who verbally insults you. Gear up, friends. Try this first. Ephesians 6:10-12 “Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.” Life is a contact sport; be strong. Life is tough, we have to be tougher.
What, oh what, to wear today? It’s cold here in Michigan. I have corduroy pants, a turtleneck shirt and a knitted sweater to top it off. I have thick socks and heavy shoes. When I go out the door, I’ll be wearing my faux fur coat with warm hood, and knitted gloves to keep my hands warm. But in my heart, I will be praying that God will live through me and help me practice Ephesians 4:24 “Put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.”
Our mission field waits …. What will we wear today?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2qeQ8Z3CLg
Because of Grace we Press On